Sealing tool



Oct. 3, 1944. J oc-ro 2,359,528

SEALING TOOL Original Filed Aug. 30, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l WNW j IIIIIIIl 3 lI/A Oct. 3, 1944. PRQCTOR I 2,359,528

Original Filed Aug. 30, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Elk/taxman;

Patented Oct. 3, 1944 SEALING TOOL John R. Proctor, Bayonne, N. Jassignor to Atlas Steel Barrel Corporation, Bayonne, N. J a corporationof New Jersey:

Original application August so, 1938, Serial No. 227,601. Divided andthis application April 9, 1942, Serial No. 438,344

11 Claims.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No.227,601, filed August 30, 1938, now Patent 2,282,495.

The invention relates to sealing metal containers against unauthorizedopening and has particular reference to a means for sealing the pluggedbung flange of metal drums in such manner as to preclude undetectedremoval of the plug to permit access to the contents of the drum.

The invention pertains especially to effectively sealing the plugagainst undetected access by means of a simple, inexpensive seal-cap soconstructed and arranged that it may be rapidly positioned in the flangewithout need of laborious centering, and subsequently locked in place bymeans of my improved tool rapidly and with a minimum of effort on thepart of the worker.

An important feature of the invention resides in the ease with which theseal-cap may be applied and the simplicity of the operation by which itis locked in place. In accordance with the present invention theseal-cap is simply dropped in a recess provided therefor in the outersurface of the bung flange. The cap is provided with a peripheral flangewhich may then be expanded or forced radially outwardly with the aid ofmy improved tool into an undercut portion or cleft extending around theperiphery of this recess, thereby locking the cap in its seat.

Other important features of the invention reside in the particularconstruction and arrangement of parts whereby the above objects areattained, the simplicity and ruggedness of my improved mechanism foraccomplishing the same, and the effectiveness of the joinder betweensealcap and flange which is obtained through the use of my tool.

Various other objects and meritorious features of the invention will beapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with thedrawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral figures, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved tool for performing the sealingoperation;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, illustrating theposition of the tool after expanding the seal-cap into lockingengagement with the bung flange;

Fig. 3 is a section along 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section illustrating the initial step in operativelypositioning the seal-cap in the bung flange;

Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 4 with the seal-cap expanded intolocking engagement with the bung flange, and

Fig. 6 illustrates in section a detail of the tool.

Referring now to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the reference numeral l0represents the metal stock of a drum provided with an aperture adaptedto receive a bung assembly. A bung ring having a flange I2 andinternally threaded to receive plug [4 is positioned within the aperturein any suitable manner. As here shown the shank of the bung is extrudedor expanded radially outwardly as indicated at I4 to grip the metal ofthe barrel stock immediately surrounding the aperture, together withbacking ring I6, firmly between the extruded portion and the flange.Rotation of the bung ring within the aperture may be prevented by anysuitable means, here shown in the form of biting surfaces 18 around theexterior of the bung ring shank immediately below the flange which areexpanded into biting engagement with the side wall of the aperture andwith the side wall of the backing ring [6.

The upper surface of flange I2 is provided with a recess 2|] having anundercut or cleft 22 extending around its periphery. While the angle ofundercut is not of paramount importance, I have determined that 45 issatisfactory.

One form of seal-cap suitable for my improved sealing operation, andadapted for use with the tool, is indicated by the numeral 24. Itcomprises a crown portion 26 preferably rounded as indicated at 28 intoa vertical side wall 30 and having an annular flange 32 with an anglepiece 34 extending around the outer periphery thereof. The cap may besheet metal and stamped in a single piece.

Plug 14 having been threaded into the bung ring, seal-cap 24 is droppedinto the seat formed in the upper surface of the bung flange by recess20. The seal-cap is so dimensioned that in performing this operation theouter periphery thereof just clears the upper tip of the 45 undercutindicated at 22. It is therefore apparent that the cap may be appliedrapidly and easily, there being no need for'centering or adjusting thesame with reference to the bung assembly prior to locking the cap to theflange.

The angle piece 34 is then expanded radially outwardly into the undercut22 of recess 20, thereby firmly locking the cap in the flange andprecluding access to the drum by removal of the concealed plug withoutfirst removing the sealcap. and thus the consignee of the drum contentswould realize that the drum had been tampered with.

The tool for expanding the seal-cap into lock- Such removal would bereadily detected grooves 48 in the outer walls of the expanding.

members tends constantly to contract them.

The inside face of each expanding member is tapered along spacedportions as indicated at 50 and 52, thereby forming in the aggregate anupper cone and a somewhat smaller lower cone for a purpose to be moreclearly brought out hereinafter. Contraction of the expanding members 44is limited to such movement as will bring the vertical faces 54 of theinside bottom wall portions of each segment into contact with oneanother.

This movement is not suflicient to permit the said expanding members todrop through the supporting lip 42- which retains them in the hous- Acasing sleeve 56 is threaded into an annular groove 58 in the top ofcasing 36 and an apertured cap 60 is threaded as indicated at 62 ontothe upper end of the said casing sleeve. Plunger 64 is slidable throughthe aperture in cap 60 and is provided with a reduced portion 66adjacent its lower extremity adapted to slide through an opening in thetop of housing 36. The shoulder 68 formed by the reduced lower portionof the plunger clears the top of casing 36 when the plunger is fullydepressed. A slidable collar is adjustably positioned with reference toplunger 64 as by means of set screw 12, which collar provides an upperseat for coil spring 14, the bottomof which seats on housing 36, therebyproviding a constant force tending to urge the plunger to the upperlimit of its movement. In the particular-form illustrated theupperportion of the plunger is reduced in diameter to form a shoulder 16which provides a stop for collar 18 slidably positioned on theupper'reduced portion of the plunger and adjustable with referencethereto by means of set screw 80. A heavy cast iron ball 82 is slidablealong the upper reduced portion of the plunger, its upper limit ofmovement being marked by collar 84 which is prefer- .ably slidable andadjustable with reference to the plunger.

The under side of housing 36 is provided with a recess 86 for seatingthe upper cylindrical portion 88 of a generally cone-shaped cam 90integral with or secured to the bottom of the plunger, the taper ofwhich corresponds to the taper of spaced cone seats 50 and 52 formed bythe segmental expanding members. These cone seats expanding segmentsoutwardly against the tension of coil spring 48 to prevent'relativemovement of the parts and consequent wear and tear. When seal-cap 24 isto be expanded into looking engagement, ball 82 is lifted to remove itsweight and permit coil spring 14 acting on collar 10 to urge the plungerto its uppermost position,

the limit of upward movement being reached.

when cam cone 90 seats in socket 86 provided therefor in casing 36. Ascam cone 90 moves to its upper seat, spring 46 contracts the expandingmembers. When the tool is contracted the inside of toe portions 94 justclear the rounded crown 28 of the seal-cap, which is somewhat higherthan angle portion 34 of the seal-cap flange. This rounded crowntherefore functions as a .7 guide to prevent the toes of the expandingsegare separated by a straight-walled portion 92 which forms a seat forthe cylindrical wall portion 88 of the-cam cone. 7

Each segmental expanding member 44 is provided with peripheral toeportions 94, the hypotenuse of each of which is somewhat rounded, asindicated in somewhat exaggerated form in Fig. 6 at 96; to facilitatetheexpanding action thereof in looking the seal-cap in the undercut ofthe bung flange- In op'eration the seal-cap 24 is first dropped intorecess 20 as indicated in Fig. 4. I The weight of 'ball 82 overcomes thenormal upward thrust. of spring 14 to retain cam cone 90 in its lower 7seat when the tool is'not in use, thus forcing the ments from foulingthe upper edge of angle piece 34 when the sealing tool is positioned.The toes 94 being seated on flange 32 of the seal-cap, the

collar 18 is struck forcibly-by sliding ball 82 I The rounded hypotenuse96 of toes 94 on the. expanding segments tends to draw the vertical lineof the seal-cap rim downwardly while the base flange 32 remains seatedin the recess 20. The metal in seal-cap'flange 32 and its rim or angleportion 34 is preferably suflicient to leave an inturned marginal rimportion 98 within the cleft provided by undercut 22, thus renderingunauthorized removal of the seal-cap still more difficult.

While in this application I have disclosed a preferred means for lockingthe seal-cap in the bung flange cleft, it willbe apparent that variousmodified arrangements maybe used to accomplish this. Likewise, apreferred formof seal cap has been illustrated without intending tolimit in any way the improved sealing operation disclosed herein. v V 7Various modifications of the structure and means heretofore describedwill be apparent to. those skilled in the art and for that reason I wishto limit myself only within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A portable sealing tool for the purpose described including incombination a casing having an open bottom, expanding members sopositioned therein as to permit limited free bodily movement of each inthe same plane in a radial direction and including a peripheral lipportion extending below the casing, yieldable means normally urging saidmembers to full contracted position, and movable means carried by saidcasing operable to positively engage said members to expand the sameagainst said yieldable means, said means including a portion extendingthrough said casing to the exterior thereof and a weight slidablymounted thereon for limited movement therealong.

2. A portable sealing tool for the purpose described including incombination a casing having an open bottom, expanding members sopositioned therein as to permit limited free bodily movement of each inthe same plane in a radial direction and including a. peripheral lipportion extending below the casing, yieldable means normally urging saidmembers to full contracted position, movable means carried. by saidcasing operable to positively engage said members to expand the samevagainst said yieldable means, said means including a portion extendingthrough said casing to the exterior thereof and a weight slidablymounted thereon for limited movement therealong, and yieldable meansnormally'urging said movable means into inoperative position.

3. A portable sealing tool for the purpose described includingincombination a casing having an open bottom, expanding members so. positioned therein as to permit limited free bodily movement of each in thesame plane in a radial direction and including a peripheral lip portionextending below the casing, yieldable means normally. urging saidmembers to full contracted position, movable means carried by saidcasing operable to positively engage said members to expand the sameagainst said yieldable means, said means including a portion extendingthrough said casing to the exterior thereof and a weight slidablymounted thereon for limited movement therealong, yieldable meansnormally urging said movable means into inoperative position, andmanually operable means associated with said movable means forcontrolling the tension in said last-mentioned yieldable means.

4. A portable sealing tool for the purpose described including incombination a substantially cylindrical'housing, expanding members sopositioned therein as to permit limited free bodily movement of each inthe same plane in a radial direction, yieldable means urging saidmembers into full contracted position, means movable from inoperativeposition, permitting full contraction of the members, into engagementtherewith to expand the same, said means including a portion extendingthrough said casing to the exterior thereof and a weight slidablymounted thereon for limited movement therealong, yieldable meansassociated with said movable means constantly urging the same intoinoperative position, and manually operable means associated with themovable means for varying at will the tension in said last-mentionedyieldable means.

5. A portable sealing too-l for the purpose described including incombination a substantially cylindrical housing, expanding members sopositioned therein as to permit limited free bodily movement of each inthe same plane in a radial direction, said members including aperipheral toe portion extending outside said housing, yieldable meansurging said members into full contracted position, means movable frominoperative position, permitting full contraction of the members, intoengagement therewith to expand the same, said means including a portionextending through said casing tothe exterior thereof and a weightslidably mounted thereon for limited movement therealong, yieldablemeans associated with said movable means constantly urging the same intoinoperative position, and means associated with the movable means forvarying at will the tension in said last-mentioned yieldable means.

6. A portable sealing tool forthe purpose described including incombination a substantially cylindrical housing, expanding members sopositioned therein as to permit limited free bodily movement of each inthe same plane in a radial direction, said members including aperipheral toe portion extending outside said housing, said toe portionincluding a peripheral lip havinga flat under surface and rounded outerwall, yieldable means'urging said members into full contracted position,means movable from inoperative position, permitting full contraction ofthe members, into engagement therewith to expand the same, said meansincluding a portion extending through said casing to the exteriorthereof and a weight slidably mounted thereon for limited movementtherealong, yieldable means associated with said movable meansconstantly urging'the same into inoperative position, and ,meansassociated with the movable means for varying at will the tension insaid last-mentioned yieldable means.

7. A portable sealing tool for the purpose de' scribed including incombination a cylindrical casing having an open bottom, segmentalexpanding members floatingly contained therein for independent bodilymovement in a radial direction, means for limiting such movement, eachmember including a peripheral lip portion extending through the bottomof said casing, yieldable means normally urging said members to fullcontracted position, and movable means carried by said casing andengageable with said members to force the same radially outwardlyagainst the tension of said yieldable means, said means including aportion extending through said casing to the exterior thereof and aweight slidably mounted thereon for limited movement therealong.

8. A portable sealing tool for the purpose described including incombination a cylindrical casing having an open bottom, segmentalexpanding members floatingly contained therein for independent bodilymovement in a radial direction, means for limiting such movement, eachmember including a peripheral lip portion extending through the bottomof said casing, each of said peripheral lips having a plane-surfacedbottom face and a rounded nose, said casing including means for limitingthe outward movement of said members so that the nose of said peripherallips does not extend beyond the cylindrical wall of the casing,yieldable means normally urging said members to full contractedposition, and movable means carried by said casing and engageable withsaid members to force the same radially outwardly against the tension ofsaid yieldable means, said means including a portion extending throughsaid casing to the exterior thereof and a weight slidably mountedthereon for limited movement therealong.

9. A portable sealing tool for the purpose described comprising incombination a cylindrical housing open at one end, a collar threadedlyreceived over the open end thereof and including a continuous lipextending radially inwardly to form an annular supporting ledge,segmental expanding members within said housing slidably seated uponsaid ledge and each including a peripheral lip extending through theopen end of said housing, yieldable means engaging said segmentalmembers and urging them toward one another, camming means within saidhousing for expanding said segmental members against the resistance ofsaid yielding means, said camming means including a portion extendingthrough said housing, a collar adjustably positioned on said extendingportion, a coil spring seated between the outer face of said housing andsaid collar, and means for limiting the movement of said camming meansand its extended portion.

10. A portable sealing tool for the purpose described comprising incombination a cylindrical housing open at one end and apertured at theother, expanding members supported within said housing for independentradial movement in the same plane, each expanding member including aperipheral lip extending through the open end of said housing, cammingmeans within said housing cooperable with said expanding members to movethe same radially outward, said camming means including a stem extendingthrough the aperture in said housing, a sleeve secured to said housingand enveloping a portion of said stem, Weight means slidable along theexposed portion of said stem, and means for 'varying the extent ofpermissible movement of said weight.

11. A portable sealing tool for the purpose described comprising incombination a cylindrical housing open at one end and apertured at theother, a collar threadedly received over the open end thereof andincluding a continuous lip ex tending radially inwardly to form anannular supporting ledge, expanding members supported within saidhousing upon said ledge for independent radial movement in the sameplane, each expanding member including a peripheral lip extendingthrough the open end of said housing, camming means within said housing00-- operable with said expanding members to move the same radiallyoutward, said camming means including a stem extending through theaperture in said housing, a sleeve secured to said housing andenveloping a portion of said stem, weight means slidable along theexposed portion of said stem, and means for varying the extent ofpermissible movement of said weight.

JOHN R. PROCTOR;

